Assateague Coastal Trust, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Berlin, Maryland on the Lower Eastern Shore of Delmarva. Our mission is to promote and encourage the protection of the health, productivity, and sustainability of the Coastal Bays watershed of Delmarva through advocacy, education and conservation. We are guided in our mission with the knowledge that healthy communities can only exist with clean air and clean water that is swimmable, fishable and drinkable.

Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) has recently become a partner in a 40 month project, The Enforcement, Engagement and Empowerment for Change on the Eastern Shore Collaborative (E3Collaborative.) The E3 Collaborative envisions an acceleration of the pace of pollution reductions that are necessary to meet Chesapeake Bay Restoration goals, and a long-term transformation on the Lower Eastern Shore that promotes the interests of local communities and sustainable farming over those of the poultry industry.

Assateague Coastal Trust is seeking a Community Outreach and Advocacy Specialist to coordinate outreach and engagement in volunteer efforts and public policy activities relating to protecting the public health and quality of life of our communities from pollution generated by the expansion of industrial agriculture and the proliferation of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) on the Lower Shore.

The Community Outreach and Advocacy Specialist will serve as a liaison between Assateague Coastal Trust and the E3 Collaborative and will work with local community groups in Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset County MD, and other organizations within Maryland’s environmental community, leveraging citizen activism to significantly increase broader public awareness about industrial CAFO proliferation and its impacts on communities.

Specific Responsibilities

•Build upon a strong base of organizations and individuals in support of our campaign.•Advise management of issues particular to the Lower Shore that can improve ACT’s effectiveness.•Coordinate and develop coalitions on campaign issues and implement grassroots organizing and public education campaigns.•Work with E3 team to develop strategic campaign plans including long- and short-term goals, strategies and tactics.•Represent ACT at E3 Collaborative planning meetings and events.•Maintain familiarity with a diverse set of issues and research products, and respond to information requests from activists, coalition members, and media.•Develop educational materials such as factsheets, action alerts, web site content and newsletter articles on various campaign issues. Maintain activist database and email lists to effectively communicate to members and supporters.•Develop and implement legislative, field organizing, online, and media strategies in support of these campaigns•Coordinate events such as, but not limited to, panel discussions and film screenings•Travel to target areas to motivate local organizations and individuals through public speaking, media appearances, strategic planning and training, and meetings with state and local governments.•Engage and train student leaders and supervise interns.

Other Duties

•Assist ACT staff, as needed, with event planning and execution•Assist the Assateague COASTKEEPER, as needed, with community outreach activities related to ACT’s clean water advocacy

Requirements

•Education: College degree or equivalent experience required.•Experience: At least one year experience in advocacy on public policy issues, and/or grassroots/field organizing.•Knowledge: Organizing, advocacy and legislative strategy techniques; familiarity with federal and state legislatures; consumer and environmental issues; working with the media. Knowledge of agricultural issues a plus. Bilingual English/Spanish beneficial.•Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal and planning; excellent organizational skills. Knowledge of online activism and email listservs.•Capabilities: Ability to think creatively and quickly to respond to legislative developments and to take advantage of breaking news; demonstrated leadership capability; ability to work well with a wide variety of people and to coordinate diverse tasks; ability to present technical concepts to a mass audience; can-do attitude and commitment to public interest work. Work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks at once, and adapt to changing situations on a daily basis. High level of independent judgment.•Conditions: Strong interest in and commitment to promoting the goals of Assateague Coastal Trust. Some weekend work possible, sometimes long hours required so a passion for the work is necessary.•Applicant must be legally eligible to work in the United States.

Compensation

Salary:$43,000 / annually with a review in six monthsBenefits Bonus: 7.5% of salary paid, disbursed in December of each year (or installments at the discretion of the Executive Director)Vacation/Sick LeaveAfter six months (or at the discretion of the Executive Director) employee will have access to ACT’s ‘Unlimited Vacation/Sick Leave’ Policy

How to Apply

Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample and three references in one document to nicole@actforbays.org, noting “Community Organizer & Advocacy Specialist” in the subject line. Position open until filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Assateague Coastal Trust strives for a diverse work environment and encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and differently-abled people to apply.